Smoking and Quitting Smoking (cont.)

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

What is addictive disease and why is smoking considered an addictive disease?

The term addictive disease or addiction describes a
persistent habit that is harmful to the person. Thus, addiction is a chronic
(long duration) disease with reliance on the substance causing the addiction. The addictive substance also
causes the accompanying deterioration of a person's physical and psychological
health.

Psychologically, an individual's behavior pattern establishes how the
addictive substance is used. One type of behavior is compulsive behavior, which
is an overwhelming and irresistible interest in use of the substance. For
example, the compulsive addict makes sure that the substance is always
available. Another type of behavior is habitual behavior, which is using the
substance regularly or occasionally for the desirable effects. Physically,
continuous use of the substance leads to dependence on the drug by the body.
This dependence means that when the drug is discontinued, symptoms of withdrawal
or distress occur.

Nicotine is the component of cigarettes that addicts.
Almost immediately upon inhalation, the body responds to the nicotine. An
individual feels relaxed, calmer, and happier than before the inhalation. These
pleasant feelings reflect the physical side of addiction; but then, not smoking cigarettes causes
a craving for more cigarettes, irritability, impatience,
anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms. Indeed, these symptoms are the symptoms
of withdrawal from cigarettes. Moreover, with time, more and more nicotine is
desired to produce the favorable effects and to avoid the symptoms of
withdrawal.